Donna Nylander
June 14, 1940 ~ December 15, 2008
Mass of Christian Burial was 10:00 a.m., Saturday, December 20, 2008 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gettysburg with Fr. Jerry Kopel officiating. Burial followed in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery at Lebanon. Visitation was held from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m., Friday, December 19, 2008 at the Luce Funeral Home in Gettysburg with a 8:30 p.m., prayer service at the church.
Donna Lee Potts was born June 14, 1940 to Keith and Maxine (Shaw) Potts in Gettysburg, SD. She attended grade school and high school in Gettysburg, graduating in 1958.
On October 12, 1958 Donna married Larry Lee Nylander in Gettysburg. To this union three children were born: Nancy, Becky and Mary. Larry and Donna ranched north and east of Lebanon, raising Simmental cattle and quarter horses until Larry’s death on January 21, 1989.
Through her life Donna was postmaster in Lebanon, Hoven and Gettysburg until her retirement in 2003. Following retirement she enjoyed golfing and being active in the book club and Sacred Heart Altar Society.
She also has enjoyed the last 17 years of her life with her special friend and companion, Dean Lemburg. Together they enjoyed golf, horseracing and traveling.
Donnas’ life will be cherished by her daughters: Nancy (Lee) Ode of Sherman, SD, Becky Tennant of Aberdeen and Mary Nylander of Rosebud, SD; four grandchildren: Ryan (Brittney) and Jess Tennant and Andrew & Erica Ode; special friend: Dean Lemburg of Selby, SD; sister: Ardis Haan of Alexandria, VA; brother: Larry (June) Potts of Plano, TX; brother-in-law: Bob Drew of Gettysburg; special aunt Elaine Hall of Aberdeen; special nieces: Lori Lemler, Bobi Kallenberger and Shelby Lemler and numerous other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her husband Larry; parents: Keith and Maxine Potts; sister: Janice Drew and brother-in-law: Phillip Haan.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the charity of your choice.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Donna's arrangements.
MINISTER
Father Jerry Kopel
CASKETBEARERS
Lee Ode
Andrew Ode
Ryan Tennant
Devyn Lemler
Deryk Drew
Lonnie Hall
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
Lori Lemler
Bobi Kallenberger
Shelby Lemler
USHERS
Mark Schatz
Thad Beringer
ALTAR SERVERS
Colten Hageman
Alyson Hageman
LECTOR
Don Hericks
EUCHARISTIC MINISTER
Bob Dahlquist
OFFERTORY
Erica Ode
Jess Tennant
ORGANIST
Judy Robbennolt
VOCALIST
Sacred Heart Church Choir
SELECTIONS
"On Eagle's Wing"
"How Great Thou Art"
"I Am the Bread of Life"
"Song of Farewell"
"Lead Me Lord"
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We are so sorry to hear about the loss of Donna. I got to know Donna real well when I lived beside her. She was a great person.Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time of your lives.
God Bless You All
Bart,Carmen,Paige,Preston Worth
Donna’s family,
My deepest sympathy to all on your loss of Donna. I know you will miss her.
We were Postmasters and saw each other at Postmaster training meetings.
My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Judy Ann Barnard
Retired Postmaster
Tulare, SD 57476
Nancy, Becky Mary & the rest of Donna’s family. So sorry for what you are going through. May God be with all of you at this sad time in your lives.
With deepest sympathy,
Marcelline Hunnel
Nylander,Potts, and Drew Families:
My thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone of you at this difficult time. Please let me know if I can be of help in any way. God Bless
What a neat lady. We met Donna through horse racing. She will certainly be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and Dean.
Joe & BJ
Donna and I visit the Nursing Home as a project for Altar Society. Yesterday was our morning there. So many gave their sympathy and told how much she would be missed. Donna was so good during the visits and her smile was super! She had told me that she thought she got more out of the visits than the residents. We will miss her at Altar Society where she was the Treasure. God be with you all during this most difficult time.
Nancy, Becky and Mary – May God Bless you and your families.
My deepest sympathies and prayers. I have the fondest memories at school, the pool and out to the farm. Especially fun were the slumber parties-your mom always made sure we had a good time.
Nancy, Becky, Mary and families,
Please know that you are in our prayers during this difficult time.
Your mom will be missed.
God Bless,
Kelly & Randy
Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time.
Rick, Kandie, Tyler, Ryan and Kyle Hansen
So sorry to hear of your loss. Donna was a very special lady, we enjoyed the times we had together. She holds a special spot in our hearts and I am sure you will dearly miss her. Please keep all the memories near to your heart.
We are sorry for your loss. We met Donna when we took are care of her cattle for a few years. What a fun lady she was. Wayne and Lana
Becky, Jess, Ryan and Brittany: We are thinking of you, and know what you are going through is very difficult. We are praying for you and send you our love and sympathy. Carol and Randi and Melissa
Our sincere sympathies to all of Donna’s family at their loss. I did not know Donna well, but she was a caring person and I know she will be greatly missed.
Our sympathy to you all. Donna was a treasure to us all when she visited as part of the Alter Society at the nursing home. She always came in with a smile and a hug for me. I will miss her visits and her laugh. Hold your memories close and enjoy them. May god Bless you all. Della & Bruce Schumacher
Dear Mary, Becky and Nancy
My heart is so heavy and full of sadness for all of you. I cannot imagine the immense grief you are feeling and the shock.
I have fond memories of the times that I came and stayed with Donna and Larry when we were in college- many, many years ago. I regret that I have not stayed in contact.
I have found comfort in the past in the scripture passage:
Blessed are they who mourn, for the shall be comforted. Mt. 5:4
The suddenness of Donna’s death reminds me of the phone call when Larry died. I wish that I could be there in person to give you hugs in person and to try to give you some comfort. I will be keeping all of you close to my heart, in the thoughts and most especially in my prayers.
I pray that you will be comforted with all of the wonderful memories and stories that will be shared of Donna.
God’s grace, peace and comfort to all of you.
Bev Mitzel and family
Donna will be missed. She was a dear friend. I’ll always remember our talks while I was employed at Mary Lynn Collins. We spoke of gardening, flowers, etc. Our prayers will be with you in this time of need.
I’m praying the God of all comfort will be with you as you go through this difficult time.
Mary and family,
My prayers are with you all. May the wonderful times and memories help you to get through this holiday. Know that God is with you always. Mary, I Love You. If you would like to talk, please call: 641-07424.
All my love and prayers.
Kim
Mary and family,
Please know of our prayerful support at this time. A Christmas in heaven – wonderful for your mother but such a loss for you.
Mary,
Please know that you and your entire family are in my thoughts and prayers. May all of the wonderful memories ease your pain.
Mary
I am sorry for your loss. Your family will continue to be in my prayers. God bless you and your family.
Rae
Becky and family, Please accept my sincere condolences at this sad time. My heart goes out to you.
Mary;
I received this news from Beth. Please, please know your in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. What a shock! I can’t imagine what your going through and feeling but please know I am here for you.
Sending prayers and hugs your way,
Lori
I just recently heard about your Mom and am so very sorry for your loss. She was a great lady and will be missed by all.
We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Becky, I was so sorry to hear of the sudden loss of your mother. You will be in my thoughts and prayers during these difficult days.